New crowdfunding campaign to support transformation of Detroit’s vacant Wigle Recreation Center into a community skatepark

$20,000 crowdfunding goal to win MEDC matching grant

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Detroit-based Community Push today announced the launch of a new crowdfunding campaign through Michigan crowdfunding platform Patronicity as part of the MEDC Public Spaces Community Places initiative. The campaign will support phase two of “The Wig,” a community-led project to transform the vacant and blighted Wigle Recreation Center in Midtown into a new skatepark.

“The work of organizations like Community Push and projects like “The Wig” are excellent examples of how we can leverage community pride and work together to create strong neighborhoods and a high quality of life for residents,” said MEDC President and CEO Michael A. Finney. “Crowdfunding is great tool to get people engaged in activating public spaces, and we are proud to be a partner in this effort.”

Located at 801 Seldon St., the once vibrant Wigle Recreation Center has sat vacant since 2005. This past summer, Community Push, an organization started by skateboarders to bridge the gap between skateboarding and the community, officially adopted the center’s park from the Detroit Parks and Recreation Department to build a community skatepark.

Community Push completed the project’s first phase in September creating a destination for area youth.

With the foundation for a great skatepark in place, phase two will involve expansion elements, including new skateboarding obstacles (concrete and steel), artistic beautification, public seating, and programs to introduce youth and students at surrounding schools to skateboarding and the social benefits it brings – civic participation, health and wellness, cultural creativity, risk-taking and supportive community building.

“This project has been a dream to work on,” said Community Push’s Derrick Dykas. “I feel very fortunate to be able to take the tools I’ve acquired as a skateboarder, tradesmen and organizer and use them to give back. What's been accomplished so far has sparked a fire in the community that'll burn for years to come, and it's exciting to see what comes next.”

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity where local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of transformational projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, non-profits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.

Pure Michigan is a brand representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s economy.

For more on the MEDC and its initiatives, visit michiganbusiness.org. For Michigan travel news, updates and information, visit michigan.org. Michigan residents interested in seeking employment with any of Michigan’s growing companies should check mitalent.org, where more than 85,000 jobs are currently available in a variety of industries.